How To Fix “White Screen of Death” in WordPress Complete Guide 2025

The infamous White Screen of Death (WSOD) in WordPress is one of the most frustrating errors a website owner can face. Instead of your website loading normally, you or your visitors are greeted with a completely blank white screen. No error messages, no clues—just emptiness. This issue can affect both the front end (what visitors see) and the back end (WordPress dashboard), making it even more stressful to resolve.

Fortunately, the White Screen of Death is not the end of your website. With the right approach, you can identify the cause and fix it. In this article, we will walk through everything you need to know to troubleshoot and resolve this problem step by step.

What is the WordPress White Screen of Death?

The White Screen of Death occurs when WordPress fails to load a page correctly. Instead of displaying your site content, it outputs a completely blank screen. The most common reasons include:

• PHP errors or memory exhaustion
• Faulty plugins or themes
• Corrupt WordPress files
• Issues with the hosting environment

Since there are multiple causes, fixing WSOD involves a process of elimination and applying targeted solutions.

Step 1: Enable WordPress Debugging

By default, WordPress hides error messages. Enabling debugging will help reveal the underlying cause. For a detailed step-by-step guide, you can check out how to enable WordPress debug mode to find errors.

How to Enable Debugging

1. Access your website files via FTP or cPanel File Manager.
2. Open the wp-config.php file located in the root directory.
3. Add or edit the following lines before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing!”:

// Enable WP debugging
define('WP_DEBUG', true);

// Display errors on screen
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true);

// Log errors to debug.log file
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

4. Save the file and reload your site.

If there’s an error message, it will appear on the screen or in the wp-content/debug.log file. This will give you a clear idea of what’s breaking your site.

Step 2: Increase PHP Memory Limit

A very common reason for WSOD is that your WordPress site has run out of PHP memory. If you want a detailed guide on how to fix the “allowed memory size exhausted” error in WordPress, check out this tutorial.

How to Increase Memory

1. Open your wp-config.php file.
2. Add the following line:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

This increases your memory limit to 256MB, which is usually enough. If your host has restrictions, you may need to contact their support team.

Step 3: Deactivate All Plugins

A misbehaving plugin is often the culprit. If you cannot access your WordPress dashboard, you can still deactivate plugins manually. Follow this guide on how to disable WordPress plugins without admin to troubleshoot effectively.

How to Test Plugins

1. Access your site’s files using FTP.
2. Go to the wp-content folder.
3. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_backup.

This disables all plugins instantly. If your site starts working, you’ve confirmed the issue lies in one of the plugins. To pinpoint the faulty plugin:

• Rename the folder back to plugins.
• Then, deactivate plugins one by one from the WordPress dashboard, or rename each plugin folder individually via FTP until you find the problem.

Step 4: Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can also trigger WSOD, especially after updates.

How to Test Your Theme

1. Go to your wp-content/themes folder.
2. Rename your active theme’s folder (e.g., mytheme → mytheme_old).
3. WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

If your site loads normally after switching themes, the problem is with your theme. You can also follow this guide to restore a broken WordPress theme without losing data to fix theme issues safely.

Step 5: Clear Cache

Caching systems can sometimes show a blank page instead of fresh content.

• If you’re using a caching plugin, clear the cache from its settings. You can also check out the best WordPress caching plugins to improve your site’s performance and avoid cache-related issues.
• If your host uses server-level caching (like SiteGround, Kinsta, or WP Engine), clear cache from your hosting dashboard.
• Don’t forget to also clear your browser cache.

Step 6: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from loading properly.

Correct Permissions

• Files should typically be set to 644
• Folders should be set to 755

You can adjust these permissions via FTP or cPanel File Manager.

Step 7: Reinstall Core WordPress Files

Sometimes, WordPress core files get corrupted during updates or migrations.

How to Reinstall

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org.
2. Unzip the package.
3. Using FTP, upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders to your server, replacing the existing ones.

This process won’t affect your themes, plugins, or content.

Step 8: Check for PHP Version Compatibility

Plugins and themes require specific PHP versions. Running an outdated version can break your site.

• Check your PHP version in your hosting control panel.
• WordPress recommends at least PHP 8.0 or higher.
• If you’re on an older version, ask your host to upgrade it.

Step 9: Disable WordPress Auto-Updates (Optional)

Sometimes, automatic updates can trigger WSOD if there’s a compatibility issue.

To disable auto-updates, add this to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false );

However, it’s better to keep updates enabled for security, so use this cautiously.

Step 10: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still face WSOD, the issue could be server-side. Common hosting-related causes include:

• Server misconfiguration
• PHP limits enforced by the host
• Temporary downtime

Your hosting support team should be able to identify and fix these issues. “If you’ve tried all the above and still see a blank screen, don’t panic. You can hire emergency WordPress support to get expert help and restore your site immediately.”

Preventing the White Screen of Death

Once you’ve fixed WSOD, you should take preventive measures to avoid future issues.

• Use quality hosting: Cheap hosting often causes memory-related issues.
• Keep WordPress updated: Always run the latest version of WordPress, themes, and plugins.
• Limit plugins: Only use necessary, well-coded plugins.
• Set up backups: Use tools like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to ensure you can restore your site quickly.
• Enable error logging: Keep debugging logs on in staging environments to catch issues early.

Conclusion

The White Screen of Death in WordPress may seem intimidating, but it’s almost always fixable. By systematically enabling debugging, deactivating plugins, testing themes, and checking server configurations, you can identify and resolve the issue. More importantly, following best practices like using reliable hosting and regular backups will help prevent it from happening again.

With these steps, you’ll not only fix the WSOD but also strengthen your site’s overall stability. The next time you—or someone you’re helping—faces a blank screen, you’ll know exactly how to bring a WordPress site back to life.

FAQs 

Q1: What is the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD)?
A: The White Screen of Death occurs when WordPress fails to load a page properly, resulting in a completely blank screen. This can affect both the front end and the admin dashboard and is usually caused by PHP errors, plugin or theme issues, memory limits, or hosting problems.

Q2: How can I enable debugging in WordPress to find the cause of WSOD?
A: You can enable debugging by editing the wp-config.php file. Add the following lines:

This will show errors on-screen and log them in wp-content/debug.log. You can also follow our detailed guide here.

Q3: Can low PHP memory cause WSOD?
A: Yes, insufficient PHP memory is one of the most common causes of WSOD. You can increase the limit by adding this line to your wp-config.php:

If the issue persists, contact your hosting provider. You can also read more about fixing memory exhaustion here.

Q4: How do I check if a plugin is causing WSOD?
A: You can deactivate all plugins by renaming the wp-content/plugins folder via FTP. If your site works afterward, reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit. Learn more about disabling plugins without accessing the admin dashboard here.

Q5: Could my theme cause the White Screen of Death?
A: Yes, themes can trigger WSOD, especially after updates. You can test by renaming your active theme folder in wp-content/themes so WordPress switches to a default theme. For detailed instructions, check our guide on restoring broken WordPress themes without losing data.

Q6: Does caching affect WSOD?
A: Yes, caching plugins or server-level cache can sometimes display a blank screen instead of updated content. Clear your cache regularly, and see our list of best WordPress caching plugins to optimize performance.

Q7: What preventive measures can I take to avoid WSOD?
A: Preventive steps include using quality hosting, keeping WordPress, plugins, and themes updated, limiting plugins, enabling error logging in staging environments, and setting up regular backups using tools like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.